The Alaska Purchase (1867) The Alaska Purchase reinforced the feeling that any form of imperialism has great benefits to the people, further indenting the strategy of imperialising into American Culture.
600,000 square miles for $7.2 million
Purchase narrowly passed (27 for, 12 against)
Purchased from Russia who felt no need to inhabit land as desolate as Alaska
Bribed American administration into making the purchase, who stated that their were valuables to be found their to justify their position
Considered to be a massive mistake on Secretary of State William Seward's part
Newspapers at the time described it as "A national iceberg, consisting of nothing but walrus covered icebergs"
"Seward's Folley"
However... Klondike Gold Rush
Began July 1879 in Yukon territory (Yukon River)
Two ships brought miners back who had bags filled with gold
Sparked gold rush/gold fever
Within half a yeay, 100,000 miners, or "stampeders" as they were called, went off in hopes of striking it rich
However, only 30,000 returned from their trip
Significance
Most ethical form of imperialism
No conflict, no bloodshed, just a transaction which permitted America to take control of Alaska
Rich with natural resources like: Oil, Copper, Diamonds, Gold, Lumber
Revived the feeling that taking more land means that America and its people will prosper
Shown Americans that any land, no matter how barren and unforgiving, could potentially have a hidden gem
Seward died on October 10th, 1872
He never got to see that he proved the public opinion wrong and that there was valuables and raw materials in Alaska
The Alaska Purchase reinforced the feeling that any form of imperialism has great benefits to the people, further indenting the strategy of imperialising into American Culture.
However...
Klondike Gold Rush
- Began July 1879 in Yukon territory (Yukon River)
- Two ships brought miners back who had bags filled with gold
- Sparked gold rush/gold fever
- Within half a yeay, 100,000 miners, or "stampeders" as they were called, went off in hopes of striking it rich
- However, only 30,000 returned from their trip
Significance